Paul Berlenbach
Paul Berlenbach (February 18, 1901 – September 30, 1985) was the world light heavyweight boxing champion from May 30, 1925, when he wrested the crown from Mike McTigue, until July 16, 1926, when he was defeated by his nemesis Jack Delaney. The Ring Magazine founder Nat Fleischer rated him as the #10 best light heavyweight of all-time. Berlenbach was inducted into the Ring Magazine Hall of Fame in 1971 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001.[1]
Paul Berlenbach | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Statistics | |
Real name | Paul Berlenbach |
Nickname(s) | Astoria Assassin |
Weight(s) | Light Heavyweight |
Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
Reach | 72 in (183 cm) |
Nationality | ![]() |
Born | New York, New York, United States | February 18, 1901
Died | September 30, 1985 84) | (aged
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 51 |
Wins | 40 |
Wins by KO | 33 |
Losses | 8 |
Draws | 3 |
No contests | 1 |
Professional career
World light heavyweight champion
Known as the "Astoria Assassin", Berlenbach was known for his punching power. The New York City-born Berlenbach was an AAU champion wrestler before turning to professional boxing in 1923. Eventually he scored a 10th-round TKO over former champion "Battling Siki" to earn a title shot against champion Mike McTigue.
Described by writer Paul Gallico as "untutored, unlettered, slow-witted, slow-moving, and wholly lacking in animation or imagination", Berlenbach was, nevertheless, a formidable fighter. As Gallico noted, he possessed "a numbing, paralyzing body punch that caused his opponents suddenly to crumple up" as though shot. His weaknesses were his non-existent defense, and slow movements which enabled sharp shooting opponents, such as Jack Delaney, to hit him at will.
Retirement
He retired with a record of 40 wins (33 KOs), 8 losses, and 3 draws. He was named #93 on the Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time. Upon his retirement, he owned and operated Paul Berlenbach's Ringside Restaurant in Sound Beach, New York in the 1950s.
Professional boxing record
51 fights | 40 wins | 8 losses |
By knockout | 34 | 3 |
By decision | 6 | 4 |
By disqualification | 0 | 1 |
Draws | 3 |
All Newspaper decisions are regarded as “no decision” bouts as they have “resulted in neither boxer winning or losing, and would therefore not count as part of their official fight record."
No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
54 | Loss | 40–8–3 (3) | ![]() | PTS | 10 | Sep 28, 1933 | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
53 | NC | 40–7–3 (3) | ![]() | NC | 2 (?) | Sep 14, 1931 | Saint Albans, Vermont, U.S. | The bout was declared NC after Lopez had been floored three times by relatively light punches. |
52 | Loss | 40–7–3 (2) | ![]() | DQ | 1 (5) | Jul 22, 1931 | Twin City Arena, Laurel, Maryland, U.S. | Berlenbach DQ'd for going down without a blow being struck. |
51 | Win | 40–6–3 (2) | ![]() | TKO | 4 (6) | Jul 09, 1931 | Fort Hamilton Arena, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
50 | Win | 39–6–3 (2) | ![]() | TKO | 1 (4) | Apr 13, 1931 | Prospect Hall, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
49 | Win | 38–6–3 (2) | ![]() | KO | 3 (4) | Mar 31, 1931 | Broadway Arena, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
48 | Win | 37–6–3 (2) | ![]() | KO | 8 (?) | May 22, 1928 | Queensboro Stadium, Long Island City, Queens, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
47 | Win | 36–6–3 (2) | ![]() | KO | 1 (?) | May 12, 1928 | Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
46 | Loss | 35–6–3 (2) | ![]() | TKO | 6 (10) | Dec 09, 1927 | Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
45 | Loss | 35–5–3 (2) | ![]() | PTS | 10 | Nov 25, 1927 | Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
44 | Draw | 35–4–3 (2) | ![]() | PTS | 10 | Oct 13, 1927 | Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. | |
43 | Win | 35–4–2 (2) | ![]() | KO | 7 (?) | Jul 28, 1927 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
42 | Win | 34–4–2 (2) | ![]() | PTS | 10 | Jul 18, 1927 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
41 | Win | 33–4–2 (2) | ![]() | TKO | 4 (10) | Jul 09, 1927 | Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
40 | Win | 32–4–2 (2) | ![]() | TKO | 1 (10) | Jun 27, 1927 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
39 | Loss | 31–4–2 (2) | ![]() | TKO | 4 (10) | Jan 28, 1927 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
38 | Win | 31–3–2 (2) | ![]() | TKO | 1 (10) | Aug 20, 1926 | Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
37 | Loss | 30–3–2 (2) | ![]() | UD | 15 | Jul 16, 1926 | Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | Lost The Ring and lineal light heavyweight titles For vacant NYSAC light heavyweight title |
36 | Win | 30–2–2 (2) | ![]() | UD | 15 | Jun 10, 1926 | Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained The Ring and lineal light heavyweight titles |
35 | Win | 29–2–2 (2) | ![]() | PTS | 10 | Apr 05, 1926 | Foot Guard Hall, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. | |
34 | Loss | 28–2–2 (2) | ![]() | PTS | 10 | Mar 19, 1926 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
33 | Win | 28–1–2 (2) | ![]() | PTS | 15 | Dec 11, 1925 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained The Ring and lineal light heavyweight titles |
32 | Win | 27–1–2 (2) | ![]() | TKO | 9 (10) | Oct 12, 1925 | Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
31 | Win | 26–1–2 (2) | ![]() | TKO | 11 (15) | Sep 11, 1925 | Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S. | Retained The Ring and lineal light heavyweight titles |
30 | NC | 25–1–2 (2) | ![]() | NC | 9 (15) | Jul 13, 1925 | Dreamland Park, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | Retained The Ring and lineal light heavyweight titles No decision bout. Both men were disqualified for "not trying" |
29 | Win | 25–1–2 (1) | ![]() | UD | 15 | May 30, 1925 | Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S. | Won The Ring and lineal light heavyweight titles |
28 | Win | 24–1–2 (1) | ![]() | TKO | 10 (12) | Mar 13, 1925 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
27 | Win | 23–1–2 (1) | ![]() | TKO | 5 (10) | Feb 09, 1925 | 108th Field Artillery Armory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
26 | Win | 22–1–2 (1) | ![]() | PTS | 12 | Jan 30, 1925 | 108th Field Artillery Armory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
25 | Win | 21–1–2 (1) | ![]() | TKO | 4 (10) | Jan 14, 1925 | 108th Field Artillery Armory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
24 | Win | 20–1–2 (1) | ![]() | TKO | 2 (?) | Dec 26, 1924 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
23 | Win | 19–1–2 (1) | ![]() | KO | 5 (10) | Dec 05, 1924 | Arena Gardens, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
22 | Win | 18–1–2 (1) | ![]() | NWS | 10 | Oct 01, 1924 | Boyle's Thirty Acres, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
21 | Win | 18–1–2 | ![]() | KO | 8 (?) | Sep 19, 1924 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
20 | Draw | 17–1–2 | ![]() | PTS | 6 | Aug 27, 1924 | Velodrome, New York, U.S. | |
19 | Win | 17–1–1 | ![]() | KO | 4 (10) | Aug 15, 1924 | Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
18 | Draw | 16–1–1 | ![]() | PTS | 8 | Jul 24, 1924 | Polo Grounds, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
17 | Win | 16–1 | ![]() | TKO | 7 (10) | Jul 07, 1924 | Queensboro Stadium, Long Island City, Queens, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
16 | Win | 15–1 | ![]() | TKO | 7 (10) | Jun 20, 1924 | Henderson's Bowl, Brooklyn New York City, New York, U.S. | |
15 | Win | 14–1 | ![]() | TKO | 3 (10) | Jun 16, 1924 | Bralls Arena, Freeport, New York U.S. | |
14 | Win | 13–1 | ![]() | TKO | 4 (10) | Apr 29, 1924 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
13 | Win | 12–1 | ![]() | TKO | 5 (12) | Apr 07, 1924 | 1st Regiment Armory, Newark, U.S. | |
12 | Win | 11–1 | ![]() | KO | 4 (10) | Mar 31, 1924 | 1st Regiment Armory, Newark, U.S. | |
11 | Loss | 10–1 | ![]() | KO | 4 (12) | Mar 14, 1924 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
10 | Win | 10–0 | ![]() | TKO | 3 (12) | Mar 03, 1924 | Broadway Arena, Brooklyn, New York City, New York U.S. | |
9 | Win | 9–0 | ![]() | KO | 6 (?) | Feb 28, 1924 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
8 | Win | 8–0 | ![]() | TKO | 1 (?) | Feb 15, 1924 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
7 | Win | 7–0 | ![]() | TKO | 6 (8) | Jan 28, 1924 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
6 | Win | 6–0 | ![]() | KO | 2 (6) | Jan 18, 1924 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
5 | Win | 5–0 | ![]() | KO | 1 (?) | Jan 10, 1924 | 102nd Medical Regiment Armory, New York, U.S. | |
4 | Win | 4–0 | ![]() | KO | 7 (?) | Jan 02, 1924 | Lenox A.C., New York, U.S. | |
3 | Win | 3–0 | ![]() | KO | 1 (8) | Dec 13, 1923 | 102nd Medical Regiment Armory, New York, U.S. | |
2 | Win | 2–0 | ![]() | KO | 1 (8) | Nov 29, 1923 | 102nd Medical Regiment Armory, New York, U.S. | |
1 | Win | 1–0 | ![]() | KO | 1 (8) | Oct 04, 1923 | 102nd Medical Regiment Armory, New York, U.S. | |
See also
- List of light heavyweight boxing champions
References
- Cyber Boxing Encyclopedia - Paul Berlenbach CyberBoxingZone.com Retrieved on 2014-04-30
External links
- Boxing record for Paul Berlenbach from BoxRec
- https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/The_Ring_Magazine%27s_Annual_Ratings:_Light_Heavyweight--1920s
Achievements | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Mike McTigue |
World Light Heavyweight Champion 30 May 1925 – 16 July 1926 |
Succeeded by Jack Delaney |